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Geckos are interesting little lizards that are growing increasingly common in the pet trade. One thing that all owners need to be aware of is how to clean up after their pets.
Normal gecko poop should have three parts to it. There are typically two elongated brown pieces that resemble rodent droppings, and they’re sometimes tipped with a white or yellow substance. The poop should be solid, well-formed, and dark in color.
The good news is that gecko poop is tiny and typically solid, making it easier to clean up. That doesn’t mean you won’t have to deal with the occasional stain, though. So, here are ideas and tips on how to clean those pesky gecko poop stains.
Top 4 Ways to Clean Gecko Poop Stains
1. Dish Soap
Dish soap has more uses than just cleaning dirty dishes. If you end up with a gecko poop stain on your clothing or other fabric, you can head to the kitchen and get the dish soap and if desired, a pinch of baking soda.
- To Wash Fabric: You simply mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap with 2 cups of cool water and use a clean cloth to sponge the stain with the solution. If the stain is already set in or stubborn, you can try to use a bit of hydrogen peroxide by using a dropper. Be careful with hydrogen peroxide, though; it can lighten fabrics if not properly diluted. The dish soap can also be used as a pretreatment before starting the laundry cycle. Just use a dab of dish soap and a pinch of baking soda, and rub it into the stain. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before throwing it in the wash. As with any fabric, make sure to check the item’s washing instructions to ensure that this method is viable.
- To Wash the Enclosure: Not only does dish soap do a great job of washing gecko poop stains out of fabric, but it’s also ideal for cleaning up the enclosure. If you have found yourself needing to get feces stains off the walls of the enclosure, dish soap is a safe and effective way to do so. You just mix a small amount of soap into warm water, then wipe it down thoroughly. Of course, after cleaning the enclosure with soapy water, you need to rinse thoroughly with clean water to ensure that no residue or suds are left behind.
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2. Stain-Removing Spray/Pre-treatment
- For Fabric: There are many great stain-removing sprays and laundry pre-treatments on the market. When you’re faced with a poop stain, whether it be from your gecko, another pet, or even a human, you need to make sure you get the excess feces off the fabric that needs to be cleaned. Once that’s taken care of, the quicker you use a stain remover or pre-treatment, the better. You will first need to read the instructions on the product of your choosing to ensure that you complete the process correctly. Generally, you will spray the stain and let it sit according to instructions, then place the fabric in the wash. For more sensitive fabrics that cannot be thrown in the washing machine, you can try gently spot-cleaning the stain with the product and then rinsing thoroughly.
- For Furniture and Carpets: You must be careful getting any kind of stain out of furniture, as different materials will require different types of care. Make sure you know how to properly wash your furniture type. A high-quality upholstery furniture cleaner should work just fine, as should a regular carpet cleaner for those carpet stains. Thankfully, gecko poop is small, and its stains may be harder to notice on large surfaces.
3. A Reputable Laundry Detergent With Stain-Removing Power
If you got gecko poop on a fabric that is machine washable, make sure you have a stain-removing laundry detergent that is well-known among consumers for being effective. This kind of laundry detergent is great to have on hand for any occasion that involves a difficult stain.
For poop stains, it’s ideal to use a pre-treatment or at least try to rinse the fabric prior to throwing it into the wash. The longer that a stain is allowed to sit untreated, the harder it will be to fully remove. Make sure to read the washing instructions on the fabric that you need to clean.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar isn’t ideal to use on all fabrics, but if you need to clean your gecko’s poop stains off the walls of their enclosure, vinegar is a safe and non-toxic option that will take care of that mess. Fortunately, poop stains will wipe off relatively easily when on the wall of an enclosure. Getting stains out of fabric can be a bit trickier.
Make sure to dilute white distilled vinegar (or apple cider vinegar, if you prefer) with water and wipe it down thoroughly. Concentrate on any dried, caked-on poop stains. Rinse thoroughly after wiping down with this solution.
Additional Tips for Cleaning Gecko Poop
It is important to remember that geckos do have the potential to carry Salmonella, though it is unlikely that your captive-bred specimens will have the bacteria. Regardless, it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when cleaning up poop. If nothing else, it’s best to keep sanitary.
- Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling reptiles or any other household pets. This includes encountering their enclosure or even their food. It’s best to keep sanitary practices as a priority for both your health and your geckos.
- Always Wear Gloves: Let’s be honest; you’re dealing with poop, so you should be wearing gloves. This minimizes the risk of any kind of bacteria leaping from the feces onto you and your household surfaces. It also keeps you from having to come in direct contact with feces, so it’s a win-win.
- Don’t Let Young Children Clean Up Gecko Messes: Young children under 5 years of age should not be responsible for cleaning up after reptiles. Captive-bred animals typically do not carry Salmonella, so it’s safe to allow gentle and supervised handling, but keep them away from the cleanup process. Young children have weaker immune systems, so if there are dangerous bacteria involved, you want to keep them safe.
- Keep Away From the Kitchen: This may be obvious, but it’s a good idea to keep your gecko’s poop or poop-stained items far from the place where you cook, prepare, and eat food. Not only do you need to do this for overall sanitary purposes, but it will also prevent any bacterial contamination near your food.
- See Also: How to Get Rid of Leopard Gecko Smell
Conclusion
A gecko’s poop is small, elongated, and typically solid. In terms of severe poop stains, your gecko probably won’t be a pet that gives you a lot of concern. However, when there is poop, there can be stains. If you do happen to require gecko poop stain removal, try one of these tips to help you get rid of it. As with any stain, it’s best to act quickly.
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Featured Image Credit: BANK lloyd LIGHT, Shutterstock
